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Dear beloveds,

The other week, I was in Minnesota with a group of Unitarian Universalist young adults and coalition partners, joining the struggle to protect the water and stop the Line 3 pipeline. You can listen to this Democracy Now! Interview with Tara Houska, Ojibwe water protector and founder of the Ginew Collective, to learn more about what is happening on the frontlines. Here is a snapshot:

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“We were under smokey skies and a red sun due to the wildfires that are raging in Ontario, just north of us and west of us, and next to a drought-stricken river … a very, very deeply harmed river, and a gigantic drill in the background drilling through, attempting to put a tar sands pipeline through that drought-stricken river.  The level of brutality that was unleashed on us [by the State] was very extreme… it was a really, really brutal scene.” - Tara Houska

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The day Tara is referring to broke the record for the worst air quality in Minnesota’s recorded history due to these wildfires in Canada, causing hazardous air conditions that gave me an allergic reaction and a bloody nose. The air was toxic even before the Minnesota state police unleashed tear gas onto water protectors, choosing to “serve and protect” fossil fuel infrastructure over public safety in every possible way.

Two members of our cohort were arrested –– consider making a donation to support their legal fund

Please join the momentum of Unitarian Universalists putting our Principles into action by showing up for the treaty rights and leadership of the Anishinaabeg; for the water and the wild rice, for climate stability, for all our relations. See below for more details.

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In faith and solidarity,

Aly Tharp, UUMFE Co-Director, Programs, and Partnerships

 

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ACTIVATION

Tell US Senators to VOTE NO on HR 1374

The Lakota People’s Law Project has put out a call to action to advocate against HR1374, the “Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2021” – a bill that has already passed in the House and is heading to the Senate. This bill would worsen the already dangerous and complex dynamics of state-backed and corporate-funded violence against and criminalization of water protectors.

Stop The Money Pipeline Day of Action, Friday, August 13

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Artist: Asa Wright.
You can download this design and more from the DEFUND LINE 3
ART KIT at: bit.ly/line3artkit

On Friday, August 13th, activists around the country will organize actions & protests at the branches, offices, and headquarters of the banks funding Line 3. We’re calling for activists to use an “Expose Greenwashing” theme in their actions to call out the recent so-called "sustainability" loans that banks have given to Enbridge.

Enbridge is building Line 3, a pipeline that would result in a 10% expansion of the tar sands and have the same climate impact as fifty new coal-fired power plants. Yet last month, major banks, such as JPMorgan Chase and Citibank, facilitated $1.5 billion in so-called sustainability loans to Enbridge.  This is greenwashing at its worst.

If you cannot go to a local action this Friday, consider calling or writing to these banks from home, or writing to the UUA Investment Committee (investment@uua.org) expressing  support for Young Adults @ General Assembly caucus’ Responsive Resolution calling on the UUA to “divest its holdings from financial institutions currently funding the Line 3 pipeline, including JP Morgan & Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citigroup, and RBC”

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EDUCATION

An invitation to join the 2022 GreenFaith Fellowship Program
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 15, 2021.  

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“When it comes to environmental justice, we need more people of faith to show up in the public square. No single faith group, not even UUs in our gold shirts, can do what needs to be done alone -- we need everyone!”

Rev. Amy Brooks Paradise, GreenFaith’s North Carolina organizer, lifts up the 2022 GreenFaith Fellowship Program as one way UUs can help build the local, interfaith power we need for environmental justice and resilience in our communities.  (Read more from Rev. Amy at the link below.)

As a GreenFaith Fellow, deepen your own eco-theological grounding and develop skills for working with others across ideological, cultural, and religious differences. Learn to help plan and lead meaningful and inclusive interfaith events with ease -- public witnesses, vigils, worship services, impactful community actions. Reap the rewards of forming friendships that inspire and encourage across religious divides.

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Tips for Reading the Latest IPCC Report

News outlets are providing many ways to summarize and contextualize the latest climate report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - the IPCC.  The Panel has finalized the first part of the Sixth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, the Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report. It was finalized on August 6, 2021.

Bill McPherson, UUMFE Board member, has provided some tips for reading the documents. He suggests that the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) is a good place to start.

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INSPIRATION

Landmark Victory in Montana Youth Climate Court Case

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Photo credit: Our Children’s Trust

On August 4th, a Montana judge ruled that the Held v. State of Montana constitutional climate lawsuit brought by 16 Montana youth must proceed to trial on the young people’s claims that the Montana government is unconstitutionally contributing to the climate crisis! Our Children’s Trust is hosting a webinar on  Friday at 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1 CT / 2 ET with the latest updates about the case. You can also learn more in the press release linked below.

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YOUNG ADULTS

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Introducing Zoë Johnston, UUYACJ Network Coordinator 

UUMFE welcomes Zoë Johnston to her new role as the Network Coordinator for UU Young Adults for Climate Justice (UUYACJ).

Zoë, a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, brings a deep commitment to the Seventh Principle and the liberatory potential of intersectional climate justice based in racial and class analysis to her work. She is curious about how to be in compassionate relationship with the environment and equally committed to holding UU Young Adults in care while engaging in climate justice work.

Learn more about Zoë’s thoughts and hopes for UUYACJ in the year ahead.

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TRANSITIONS

Introducing our newest Board members!

UUMFE is pleased to welcome three new members to the Board and thank them for their enthusiasm and service.

Ted Nichols is a member of All Souls Community Church (UU) in Grand Rapids, MI, and is a member of their Environmental Justice Committee. He is a newly-retired college administrator and recently completed Al Gore’s Climate Reality Leadership training. 

Jolynda Peterson is a member of First Unitarian Society in Denver, Colorado. She earned degrees in World Religions and Social Work, with an emphasis on sustainable development and ecological justice. Currently, she works as a clinician in community mental health services and volunteers with a non-profit dedicated to food security within BIPOC communities.

Susannah Tuttle, a life-long UU, is the Executive Director of North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light, a part of the NC Council of Churches Eco-Justice Connection Program. She received a Masters of Divinity degree from Starr King School for the Ministry at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. She is a member of the Church of the Larger Fellowship and resides in Orange County, NC.

The next round of UUMFE Board Member Search is scheduled for Spring 2022. New terms will begin in July 2022.  Your inquiries are welcome at any time.

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BONUS RECIPE: Cucumber Avocado Salad

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Crunchy cucumbers and creamy avocados are the stars of this simple five-ingredient salad. Finish with a hit of red-pepper flakes for heat, or embellish with herbs, lettuces, beans, soft-boiled eggs, feta, nuts, and so on, as you wish.

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Visit UU Ministry for Earth online at uumfe.org.
Please support our work.

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